center center /ˈsɛnɝ/

adjective

1. () [American] Equally distant from the extremes  ( center [American] , midway , halfway , middle )
   equally distant from the extremes
     They reached the halfway point of their journey before taking a break.
   They reached the halfway point of their journey before taking a break.
   
2. [American] Of or belonging to neither the right nor the left politically or intellectually  ( center [American] )
   of or belonging to neither the right nor the left politically or intellectually
   

noun

1. () [American] An area that is approximately central within some larger region  ( centre , eye , heart [British] , center [American] , middle )
   an area that is approximately central within some larger region
    It is in the center of town
   it is in the center of town
    They ran forward into the heart of the struggle
   they ran forward into the heart of the struggle
    They were in the eye of the storm
   they were in the eye of the storm
   
2. () [American] The piece of ground in the outfield directly ahead of the catcher  ( center field [American] , centre field [Canadian, British] , centerfield [American] , center [American] )
   the piece of ground in the outfield directly ahead of the catcher
    He hit the ball to deep center
   he hit the ball to deep center
   
3. () [American] A building dedicated to a particular activity  ( centre [Canadian, British] , center [American] )
   a building dedicated to a particular activity
    They were raising money to build a new center for research
   they were raising money to build a new center for research
   
   
4. () [American] A point equidistant from the ends of a line or the extremities of a figure  ( centre [Canadian, British] , midpoint , center [American] )
   a point equidistant from the ends of a line or the extremities of a figure
    The town centre was bustling with activity
   The town centre was bustling with activity
   
   
5. () [American] A cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process  ( centre [Canadian, British] , nerve center [American] , nerve centre [Canadian, British] , center [American] )
   a cluster of nerve cells governing a specific bodily process
    In most people the speech center is in the left hemisphere
   in most people the speech center is in the left hemisphere
   
6. () [American] The object upon which interest and attention focuses  ( center of attention [American] , centre [Canadian, British] , centre of attention [Canadian, British] , center [American] )
   the object upon which interest and attention focuses
    His stories made him the center of the party
   his stories made him the center of the party
   
7. () [American] The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience  ( centre [Canadian, British] , gist , heart and soul , inwardness , kernel , marrow , meat , nitty-gritty , nub , center [American] , core , essence , heart , pith , substance , sum )
   the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
    The gist of the prosecutor's argument
   the gist of the prosecutor's argument
    The heart and soul of the Republican Party
   the heart and soul of the Republican Party
    The nub of the story
   the nub of the story
   
8. () [American] (military) the middle of a military or naval formation  ( center [American] )
   (military) the middle of a military or naval formation
    They had to reinforce the center
   they had to reinforce the center
   
9. () [American] Politically moderate persons; centrists  ( center [American] )
   politically moderate persons; centrists
   
10. () [American] A place where some particular activity is concentrated  ( centre [Canadian, British] , center [American] )
    a place where some particular activity is concentrated
     They received messages from several centers
    they received messages from several centers
    
11. () [American] (football) the person who plays center on the line of scrimmage and snaps the ball to the quarterback  ( snapper [ N. American] , center [American] )
    (football) the person who plays center on the line of scrimmage and snaps the ball to the quarterback
     The center fumbled the handoff
    the center fumbled the handoff
    
12. () [American] (basketball) the person who plays center on a basketball team  ( center [American] )
    (basketball) the person who plays center on a basketball team
    
13. [American] A position on a basketball team of the player who participates in the jump that starts the game  ( center [American] )
    a position on a basketball team of the player who participates in the jump that starts the game
    
14. [American] (American football) the position of the player on the line of scrimmage who puts the ball in play  ( center [American] )
    (American football) the position of the player on the line of scrimmage who puts the ball in play
     It is a center's responsibility to get the football to the quarterback
    it is a center's responsibility to get the football to the quarterback
    
15. [American] The position on a hockey team of the player who participates in the face off at the beginning of the game  ( center [American] )
    the position on a hockey team of the player who participates in the face off at the beginning of the game
    
16. [American] Mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace  ( center [American] , mall [British] , plaza , shopping center [American] , shopping centre [Canadian, British] , shopping mall )
    mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace
     A good plaza should have a movie house
    a good plaza should have a movie house
     They spent their weekends at the local malls
    they spent their weekends at the local malls
    
    
17. [American] The sweet central portion of a piece of candy that is enclosed in chocolate or some other covering  ( center [American] , centre [Canadian, British] )
    the sweet central portion of a piece of candy that is enclosed in chocolate or some other covering
    
    
18. [American] (ice hockey) the person who plays center on a hockey team  ( center [American] )
    (ice hockey) the person who plays center on a hockey team
    

verb

1. () [American] Center upon  ( centre on [Canadian, British] , revolve about , revolve around , center [American] , center on [American] , concentrate on , focus on )
   center upon
    Her entire attention centered on her children
   Her entire attention centered on her children
    Our day revolved around our work
   Our day revolved around our work
   
2. () Direct one's attention on something  ( centre , pore , rivet , center , concentrate , focus )
   direct one's attention on something
    Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies
   Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies
   
3. [American] Move into the center  ( center [American] , centre )
   move into the center
    That vase in the picture is not centered
   That vase in the picture is not centered